A input device, such as a keyboard, having an array of unique rapid response keys for responding rapidly and conveniently to routine requests from software applications. Such routine requests include those requiring a “yes,” “no” or “cancel” response. Other routine tasks includes saving and closing files, which typically causes software to issue a save request. Instead of responding to such requests with input from a pointing device, the unique rapid response keys allow a user to respond to such routine requests without removing her hands from the keyboard. Four dedicated keys are preferably located above an escape key on the keyboard. A device driver receives scan codes from the keyboard and translates the scan codes corresponding to the response keys for providing a properly formatted response to the requesting software application.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A input device for a computer system, comprising: a housing; one or more general-purpose keys coupled to the housing; and a plurality of user non-programmable rapid response keys including a combined CLOSE-AND-SAVE function key coupled to the housing, each rapid response key corresponding to specific user feedback in response to a query from software, each rapid response key providing a unique signal when activated, said combined CLOSE-AND-SAVE function key operable to cause a software application operating on the computer system both to save a file and to close the file.
2. The input device of claim 1 , further comprising: a driver for operation on the computer system, said driver responsive to the unique signal to communicate the specific user feedback to the software application.
3. The input device of claim 1 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a YES response.
4. The input device of claim 1 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a NO response.
5. The input device of claim. 1 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a CANCEL response.
6. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the input device is a keyboard.
7. The input device of claim 6 , wherein said one or more general-purpose keys includes a matrix of keys, and wherein said rapid response keys are arranged near the matrix of keys.
8. A computer system, comprising: a processor for executing a software application; an input/output controller coupled to said processor; a input device connectable to said input/output controller, comprising: one or more general-purpose keys;and a plurality of user non-programmable rapid response keys including a combined CLOSE-AND-SAVE function key, each rapid response key corresponding to a predetermined answer in response to a query from the software application, each rapid response key providing a unique signal when activated, wherein when said combined CLOSE-AND-SAVE function key is actuated, the software application causes the processor both to save a file and to close the file.
9. The computer system of claim 8 , further comprising: a driver for execution by the processor, said driver responsive to the unique signal to communicate the predetermined answer to the software application.
10. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a YES response.
11. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a NO response.
12. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a CANCEL response.
13. The input device of claim 8 , wherein the input device is a keyboard.
14. The input device of claim 13 , wherein said one or more general-purpose keys includes a matrix of keys, and wherein said user non-programmable rapid response keys are arranged at a location near the matrix of keys.
15. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the software application is an application running under a Microsoft Windows operating system.
16. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the input device is a keyboard.
17. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the query from software is presented in the form of a dialog box on a monitor.
18. The computer system of claim 9 , further including a hard disk drive for storing the driver and software application.
19. A method for rapidly responding to routine software requests, the method comprising: actuating one of a plurality of user non-programmable rapid response key on a keyboard; translating the actuation into a scan code; providing the scan code to a central processing unit; the central processing unit determining whether the scan code is a unique rapid rapid response key, including a combined function CLOSE-AND-SAVE key; translating the scan code into a pre-determined response understandable by the software; communicating the pre-determined response to the software; and the software both saving a file and closing the file, if the pre-determined response corresponds to the combined function CLOSE-AND-SAVE key.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising: before said actuating step, presenting a software request to a user in the form of a graphical dialog box on a monitor.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising: closing the dialog box in response to the software receiving the response.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a YES response.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a NO response.
24. The method of claim 20 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a CANCEL response.
25. A keyboard for a computer system, comprising: a housing; a matrix of general-purpose keys; and a plurality of user non-programmable rapid response keys including a dual function CLOSE-AND-SAVE key, each rapid response key corresponding to a predetermined answer in response to a query from a software application, each rapid response key providing a unique signal when activated, said dual function CLOSE-AND-SAVE key operable to cause the software application operating on the computer system both to save a file and to close the file.
26. The keyboard of claim 25 , further comprising: a driver for operation on the computer system, said driver responsive in the unique signal to communicate the predetermined answer to the software application.
27. The keyboard of claim 25 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a YES response.
28. The keyboard of claim 25 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a NO response.
29. The keyboard of claim 25 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a CANCEL response.
30. The keyboard of claim 25 , wherein one of said matrix of general purpose keys includes an escape key, and wherein said user non-programmable rapid response keys are positioned above the escape key.
31. The keyboard of claim 25 , wherein one of said matrix of general purpose keys includes a space bar, and wherein said user non-programmable rapid response keys are positioned below the space bar.
32. An input device for a computer system operating a software application, the input device comprising: a housing; one or more general-purpose keys; and a plurality of user non-programmable rapid response keys, one of the rapid response keys being a dual function CLOSE-AND-SAVE key, each rapid response key corresponding to a predetermined message for the software application, each user non-programmable rapid response key having a means for providing a unique signal when that rapid response key is activated; and means for providing an interrupt in response to receipt of the unique signal; means for reading the unique signal from the interrupt means and converting the unique signal into a message acceptable by the software application for passage to the software application, the message being a user response to a routine software request; and wherein receipt of the CLOSE-AND-SAVE message by the software application causes the software application both to save a file and to close the file.
33. The input device of claim 32 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a YES response.
34. The input device of claim 32 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a NO response.
35. The input device of claim 32 , wherein another one of said user non-programmable rapid response keys corresponds to a CANCEL response.
36. The input device of claim 32 , wherein the routine software request from the software application is presented to the user in the form of a dialog box on a monitor requesting the user to provide a YES, NO or CANCEL response, and wherein actuation of one of the rapid response keys provides a message corresponding to a YES, NO or CANCEL response, and wherein the routine software request is satisfied and the dialog box is closed by the software application upon receipt of the message.
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April 13, 1999
October 1, 2002
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